[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 175 (Wednesday, November 16, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2065]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




A TRIBUTE TO JOLENE KOESTER, PRESIDENT OF CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, 
                              NORTH- RIDGE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRAD SHERMAN

                              of califoria

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 16, 2011

  Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary 
leadership and service of Dr. Jolene Koester. Dr. Koester began her 
appointment as the fourth president of California State University, 
Northridge on July 1, 2000, one of the largest campuses in the 23-
campus California State University system. In May 2011, she announced 
her plans to step down as president at the end of December 2011 and 
subsequently retire from The California State University.
  California State University, Northridge is a vibrant, diverse 
university community of more than 36,000 students served by 4,000 
faculty and staff. The University plays an indispensable role in the 
San Fernando Valley as an intellectual, cultural and economic driver.
  Under her leadership, the University has improved graduation rates, 
received record levels of fundraising, and become known for its culture 
of collaboration. Dr. Koester's vision and determination led to the 
development of the Valley Performing Arts Center at California State 
University, Northridge--the first world-class concert hall for nearly 2 
million residents of the San Fernando Valley. During her tenure, she 
has increased the overall stature of Cal State Northridge, resulting in 
improved visibility and relationships in the San Fernando Valley and 
Los Angeles.
  Known nationally for her leadership in the area of higher education, 
Dr. Koester is a member and past chair of the Board of Directors for 
the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. Dr. 
Koester serves the greater Los Angeles community on the boards of 
directors for the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, the Valley 
Economic Alliance, and the Valley Industry and Commerce Association. 
She also is a board member of the Los Angeles World Affairs Council and 
the Los Angeles Jobs and Economy Committee. She has received numerous 
awards and recognitions for her leadership in the Los Angeles region.
  Prior to her appointment at Cal State Northridge, Dr. Koester served 
as provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at California State 
University, Sacramento. Before her service as provost, she held other 
executive positions in the academic affairs division at Sacramento 
State, and was a faculty member there, as a professor of communication 
studies, since 1980. She earned a Bachelor's of Arts from the 
University of Minnesota in 1970, a Master's of Arts in communication 
arts from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1971, and a Ph.D. in 
speech communication from Minnesota in 1980.
  Mr. Speaker, I wish to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Koester 
for her commitment to furthering the excellence of California State 
University, Northridge. She is an extraordinary leader whose legacy 
will succeed her for decades to come.

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